Calendar of major London Events

The ceremony of changing the guard at Buckingham Palace is a focal point for many thousands of tourists. This intricate procedure facilitates the renewing of a guard at the end of its duty, "The old guard". It is relieved by a refreshed detachment referred to as the "New guard". The ceremony normally take place every day in the Spring and Summer and reverts to every other day during Autumn and Winter.

London Marathon was organized for thefirst time in March 1981 by Chris Brasher Olympic champion. Soon it became an annual event. It is second largest marathon after Great North Run in Newcastle.Since the first marathon in London it became much bigger and has many more participants. Each year about 50,000 people attend this amazing charity event.

The Chelsea Flower Show officially is called the Great Spring show. It is held every year for five days in May by the Royal Horticultural Society. The show is situated in the grounds of Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. It is the most famous flower and gardening show in the United Kingdom.

Trooping the Colour is a ceremony performed by regiments of the British and the Commonwealth armies. It has been a tradition of British infantry regiments since the 17th century, since 1748 Trooping the Colour has also marked the official birthday of the Queen It is held in London annually on the second Saturday in June on Horse Guards Parade by St. James's Park, and coincides with the publication of the Birthday Honours List. Among the audience are the Royal Family, invited guests, ticketholders and the general public. The colourful ceremony is also known as "The Queen's Birthday Parade".

Notting Hill carnival has taken place in London since 1966 each August bank Holiday which is last weekend of August. Each year the streets of London come alive in amazing colourful show. The tradition of the carnival was initiated by Caribbean immigrants in England.

The Lord Mayor's Show is one of the longestestablished and best known annual events in London which dates back to 1535. The event is a street parade which in its modern form is a fairly light-hearted combination of traditional British pageantry and elements of carnival. On the day after being sworn in, the Lord Mayor and several others participate in a procession from the City of London to the Royal Courts of Justice in the City of Westminster, where the Lord Mayor swears his allegiance to the Crown.

New Year’s Eve

Date: 31 December

On New Year's Eve, London comes alive with celebrations, fireworks and parties in every corner of the capital. The most spectacular fireworks take place along the river side right behind the London Eye.